In a shocking twist during Tuesday night’s episode of *The Good Doctor*, a major character met a tragic end due to a hate crime, marking a dark turn for the ABC medical drama halfway through its seventh and final season. Series writer Adam Scott Weissman explained that the decision to kill off Dr. Asher Wolke was influenced by actor Noah Galvin’s desire to leave the series. The storyline also serves to highlight the increasing antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ violence in the U.S.
“We approached this episode with the understanding that life doesn’t always deliver happy endings,” Weissman told TheWrap in an exclusive interview. “Sometimes, events unfold suddenly and tragically. These issues become more real when they affect someone you know or love, even if it’s through a character on TV. This horrible event brings those realities closer to home for our viewers.”
The episode, titled “Who at Peace” and co-written by Weissman and Peter Blake, explores Asher’s journey as he revisits his Jewish roots while assisting a terminally ill patient with his wedding. Asher grapples with reconciling his queer identity with his upbringing in the Hasidic community. Additionally, Asher is contemplating a proposal to his partner, Jerome (Giacomo Baessato), as they approach their two-year anniversary. After the patient’s wedding, Asher helps a rabbi back to the synagogue, where they encounter two vandals. Although Asher initially scares them off, the episode ends with the vandals returning and killing him while Jerome waits in a restaurant, preparing to propose.
A source close to the production confirmed that Galvin’s desire to pursue other opportunities led the writers to plan an earlier exit for Asher. The character, introduced in Season 4 as a recurring role, was promoted to series regular in Season 5.
Weissman noted that while Asher’s death aimed to address real-world issues, the goal was to provide a “satisfying ending” to his story.
“Asher’s final line, ‘I’m not just a Jew, I’m a gay one, too,’ reflects his struggle to reconcile these two aspects of his identity. This episode was crucial for him to realize that he could embrace both parts of himself,” Weissman said. “It was important for us to show this realization.”
Weissman also addressed concerns about falling into the “bury your gays” trope, where queer characters are killed off for dramatic effect. He praised showrunner Liz Friedman—who is a member of the LGBTQ community—for her guidance in crafting this emotional episode.
“It’s a somber moment, but it’s also uplifting in that Asher’s final act is a heroic embrace of his full identity, aimed at protecting others and preserving a sacred space,” Weissman explained.
Looking ahead, a preview for next week’s episode suggests a memorial for Asher before the doctors are called back to the hospital for an emergency. While keeping details under wraps, Weissman assured that the aftermath of the attack and Asher’s death will significantly impact the remaining characters as the series concludes, including Jerome.
